Posted 5-19-13 Saturday at Tribal Fest
Performance clips from iPad. Better footage from other devices coming soon. Included here are Asha World Dance Co, Portico, April Rose, Qabila Folkloric, Uru Tribe, Hahbi'Ru
Posted 5-14-13 Tuesday at Tribal Fest
A quicky video shot an compiled on an ipad. More video may come...
Anahid Sofian, Zoe Jakes, Rachel Brice, Sashi, Asharah, Naimah, Tribal Bazar
Coming--- Anahid Sofian talking about her career history in New York City and the scene at that time in the 1960s & 70s.
May 7th, 2013 : Release party for "Heart Full Of Cairo", the new single by Turbo Tabla/ Karim Nagi featuring Princess Farhana.
The party and performances took place at Skinny's Lounge in North Hollywood, the go-to club for belly dance in Los Angeles.
Left to right: DeVilla, Aubre Hill, Princess Farhana, Lala, Karim Nagi, Olu.
"Heart Full Of Cairo" an audio love letter to Egypt, is now available on iTunes and Amazon.com.
Photo by Richard Lowe
Texas-based dancer Dilara Sultan, legendary Turkish belly dance starSema Yildiz and Princess Farhana, at the screening of the new belly dance documentary "The Magical Call Of Oryantal". The film premiered at the Empire Gallery in Istanbul. Directed and shot by female film maker Umut Egitimci, the documentary features interviews and performance footage with Turkish dancers of the past and present, including Nourhan Sultan, Asena, Didem Kanali, Tanyeli, and living legends Princess Banu and Sema Yildiz.
These photos are from a Saturday event, Apr 6th, 2013.
It was a Lao New Year Party organised by Lao Radio in Toronto. All photos were taken by Paul Yang.
Iana does PERSIAN!
"i dance it sometimes with plates and finger thimbles (playing the rhythm or accents). it is not a very traditional for Persian dances,
but I talked to Persian artists, and they told that for todays art it is absolutely acceptable to add such element in Persian dances"
Posted 4-19-13
Photos from last nights "dress rehearsal" for this weekend's show at the Mission Cultural Center in San Francisco Helene Eriksen and the Anar Dana Project presents "Dances Under the Crescent Moon"
featuring dances from North Africa, Mid East, Central Asia, Eastern Europe
The Samai
1-?, 2-Amanda Baer, 3- Monica Berini, 4 ? and Helene
Amanda Baer in a dance from Afghanistan(?)
Cute aprons in the Hungarian Romany dance
"Our daughter gave birth this AM (Via C-section) to Brianna Marie,
7 lbs, 10 oz; 20-1/2 inches long.
Mother, Father, and new baby are doing fine; grandparents are expected to recover."
Posted April 6, 2013 Voice of Roma presents International Roma Day
on April 5, 2013
at the Croatian Cultural Center.
Galbeno Band,
lead by Dusan Ristic (on violin?). Sani Rifati on box, ? on large drum, Andrew Cohen on tuba, ? on accordion, lady in pink vocals.
Reyhan performs! Rumen Sali Shopov on drum, Sonia Seeman on clarinet, Husnu Tuzsuz on violin, ? on bass violin
The day also included a dance class by Reyhan, and a lecture by Sonia titled, "Turkish Romani dance and the role of female performers".
[editor-video report may also be coming!]
Adira's Grand Opening is today. She just moved her store to a new location, 2038 Lincoln Avenue in San Jose
.
Posted 3-9-2013, Submitted by Ilhaam
I'm pleased to send you our picture at the Oriental music and dance jam session in Barco in Madrid. It was taken on last February 28 evening.
In order from left to right: Maisha, Ilhaam and Mouna. We are dancers in the Oriental Music and Dance Company "Dolunaï". I'm the tribal one, hehehe, and I also play zills so I'm half musician and half dancer.
Champion of Champions: Jamilah of Poland, also won the Egyptian Category
Universal Champion: Maria of California
1st Runner Up: Masha of California
2nd RU: Anjelica Scannura - Canada
3rd Runner Up: Courtney of California
Congeniality: Lara of California
People's Choice: Lara of California
Egyptian Champion: Jamilah of Poland
1st Runner Up: Badriyah of Czech Rep
2nd Runner Up: Courtney of California
3rd Runner Up : Jayanti of Czech Rep.
Congeniality: Asiya of California
People's Choice: Jamilah of Poland
Group Champion: Rus Sharkies of Russia
1st Runner Up: Al Fayyum Dancers of Czech Rep.
2nd Runner Up: Layla & the Lotus Dancers of California
3rd Runner Up: Khamsin of California
Congeniality: Sofiya Kopoteva & Anastasiya Shamryluk of Ukraine
People's Choice: Layla & the Lotus Dancers of California
Drum Solo Champion: Anjelica Scannura of Canada
1st Runner Up: Oleg of Russia
2nd Runner Up: Cassandra Fox of Canada
3rd Runner Up: Badriyah of Czech Rep.
Congeniality: Nuriya of California
People's Choice: Courtney of California
Taxsim Champion: Anjelica Scannura of Canada
1st Runner Up: Badia of California
2nd Runner Up: Eyyam of Poland
3rd Runner Up: Oleg of Russia
People's Choice: Anjelica Scannura of Canada
Fusion Champion: Anjelica Scannura of Canada
1st Runner Up: Oleg of Russia
2nd Runner Up: Karlos Khalil of Puerto Rico
3rd Runner Up: Badriyah of Czech Rep.
Congeniality: Nicole McLaren of Switzerland
People's Choice: Karlos Khalil of Puerto Rico
Specialty Props Solo Champion: Natika of Russia
1st Runner Up: Irina of California
2nd Runner Up: Nilay of Turkey
3rd Runner Up: Mireya Yamilet of California
Congeniality: Nicole McClaren of Switzerland
People's Choice: Irina of California
Family Duet: Belly Sema of California
1st Runner Up: Sofiya Kopoteva & Anastasiya Shamryluk of Ukraine
2nd Runner Up: Wah-heedah of California
3rd Runner Up: Daughters of the Wind of California
Congeniality: Sofiya Kopoteva & Anastasiya Shamryluk of Ukraine
People's Choice: Sofiya Kopoteva & Anastasiya Shamryluk of Ukraine
Junior Champion: Anastasia Shamryluk of Ukraine
1st Runner Up: Melanie Tacher of CA
2nd Runner Up: Jessica of California
3rd Runner Up: Anastasiya Bronovska of Ukraine
Little Champion: Kassandra of California
1st Runner Up: Brianna of California
2nd Runner Up: Sofiya Kopoteva of Ukraine
3rd Runner Up: Enrique of California
The Women of Selket
This past November 2012, we celebrated our 30th anniversary as a troupe in Richmond, Virginia! We
brought Virginia of Miami to teach two days of workshops with us and had a big celebratory hafla on
Saturday, November 3rd. Dancers from left to right are: Najia, Zaida, Meredith, Ameena, Virginia, Zitana, Dharva, Gaia, Alia. click photo for enlargement
Names of dancer (please!) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14-Grinneli? click on photo for larger image.
Is this the right order?--
Yaneth, Grecia, Luisa, Lorena, Maria Fernada, Grinneli, Martha , Leticia, Imelda, Mayan, Montserrat, Crystal , Patricia
Baja Bellydance Holiday Gala Show December 2012
our guest star was Grinneli Bellydancer
Cafe Literario from Teatro del Estado ( Literary Cafe from our State Theatre)
in Mexicali Baja California
Photo by Grinnelis husband Arturo
Posted 1-19-13, submitted by Leyla Amir
A view of the Karnack Temple as we take a McDonald break.
My Pasha with his beautiful niece FiFi
as a witness for the signing of the contract
of her marriage in Cairo October 2012.
Many of the ceremonies now have the signing
before the festivities begin with all watching
instead of in private.
Tahir Sq. in Cairo during a quiet time in October 2012 right before the elections.
Used as a Memorial Park when it's not a hot bed of protest.
On January 15, 2013 at Skinny's Lounge in Los Angeles, Princess Farhana & Kamala Almanzar present:ed "Love For Laura", an all-star fundraiser for iconic dancer Laura Crawford, featuring Jillina, Fahtiem, Zahra Zuhair, Rania, Angelika Nemeth, Mesmera, Irani Da Silva, Layla Luna, Kamala Almanzar & Princess Farhana, with Arabic percussion by Issam Houshan.
Currently a lawyer, Laura Crawford was THE dancer in Los Angeles in the 1990's. She created and directed the ground-breaking troupe Flowers of The Desert, and trained legions of dancers, man of them of them now nationally known. Laura has had extensive health issues, and the LA dance community pulled together to honor her and raise funds for her treatment.
Jillina
Kamala and Rania
Zahra and Angelika
Zahra, Fahtiem, Princess, Jillina and Issam Houshan
Posted December 7, 2012, Submitted by Carl Sermon. text submitted by Zorba
[ed note: memorial page coming soon!]
Hello Friends and Family, This is Nina writing on behalf of the Family:
This update is the one I have been dreading writing. At about 6:45 this evening (Thursday, December 6th), my Father, Armando / Uncle Mafufo passed on. About a week ago he had a bad fall and though he didn't break
anything, he never fully recovered. He was with my Mother, in his home, and he went quickly, peacefully and sweet ly without pain or stress. Though we have been aware this was coming, you can never be truly prepared. We are devastated.The hospice process has made this more bearable and their help has been invaluable in making the details become more a part of the background so that our family could spend the necessary time together
to say our goodbyes to him while we still could.
Thank you for all of your love and support during these difficult times, he felt well loved by all who knew him and we are proud to have seen such an outpouring of support. Again, thank you all. We will post information about a memorial after we've had some time to adjust.
Love, Hanya, Nina, Geoff and Amelia
Posted 11-4-12, submitted by Nathan Craver
Here's one from the Helwa's Student Hafla in Burlingame last night with Helm and Al 'Azifoon, taken by Helwa's husband. It was a fun show!
Samsara Rebirth of the Spirit
4th annual student recital with students from Yuma’s Parks and Recreation program taught by Raven,
and students from Arizona Western College taught by Angie and Lisa.
October 20, 2012 Yuma, Arizona
Front row far left Kellie, far right Elizabeth
Second row, left to right: Moira, Colleen, Barbra, Arlyn, Lisa (ATS Instructor), Nuri, Carla
Third row, left to right: Adriana, Arlene, Donna, Rosa, Sam, Kihla, Stacey, Rosario, Joleen, Mary Ann, Margarita, Angie (Fusion Instructor)
Last row, left to right: Raven (Oriental Instructor), Petra, Jennifer, Angela, Desi, Paula, Carmela, Leticia, Mary, Cory, Marilyn, Cheyenne, Amanda
posted 10-23-12, submitted by Jenna, photo credit to Tiffany Noro
"Photos from DanceGardenLA in Atwater Village, Los Angeles! DeVilla's Saturday morning bellydance class working on a very creative veil choreography."
L to R: Lisa Marie, Kalliope, Lala and DeVilla, the instructor
posted 10-7-12 Dawn Devine did a presentation on assuit to the Ethnic Textiles Group at the De Young Museum on September 30, 2012
The museum blue hairs inspect a fine specimen of assiut
Sierra Sadira is excited and amazed at the weight of this assiut. She says it feels like a snake!
Nancy Hernandez brought along her beautiful collection of assiut
Dawn's book prototype
Antique assuit?
Nancy Hernandez, Zemira, Dawn Devine and Sierra Sadira
Posted 10-6-12, submitted by Nisaa
Nisaa hosted Aisha Ali for a weekend of workshops and performance on September 8 and 9, in St. Louis, Missouri.
a group photo of workshop participants
Names please!
Click for enlargement
Front row left to right (sitting): Zina, Camille, Sherry, Sedonia
Middle row left to right (kneeling): ‘Azraa (with Leonard Seamoy, world-famous sea turtle, on her shoulder), T’Ali
Middle row left to right (standing): Amy (light blue T-shirt), Jasmine, Aisha, Natalia, Tara, ? and ?
(I think these two ladies are Barbara and Marlene, but I’m not sure which is which, sorry!), Brenda (light orange tank top)
Back row left to right: Paula, Aziyade, Melody, Monica, Tedi, Lynn, Lisa, Amanda, Kathy, Cindy
Shelley Muzzy (Yasmela) and Black Dog Productions producer Suzanne Blais began work on this project over 10 years ago. It has morphed into something far beyond their original idea. Hootchy Mamas is an exploration of dance, art, aging, and coming to terms with all of the things that make us women. It is a journey of understanding using archival footage, recent interviews and hundreds of still photographs of some of the Middle Eastern Dance pioneers in the US. It's a womans story.
Carolena talks about coming up with the name of her troupe by talking with a clown. Her troupe members hated the name but the phone company loved it!
GIgbag Check #46 with Angelika
Angelika Nemeth lives and teaches in Southern California. She teaches at 3 colleges and also takes tours to Cairo, Turkey, and other countries. She mentions 2 costumes designers in Egypt who she buys her costumes from. This video was taken in February 2011 around the time of the revolution in Egypt and many of the tours sponsors were not sure if they were going to be able to go on their tours this year because of the unrest. Angelika contributes to GS with her advertising dollars and wise council. Thank you Angelika!
Photos were taken 9/8/12, last Saturday, at a downtown sidewalk art festival called Art Attack Fredericksburg, Virginia.
"PRISM Dancers"-
I drummed for them as they did a balancing dance with baskets, then we all did ITS (Tribal Odyssey) together to the rhythms of our finger cymbals.
Dancers in the photos: (me), Galiyah, Nashida, and Al-'Anqa.
Shelley Muzzy (Yasmela) and Black Dog Productions producer Suzanne Blais began work on this project over 10 years ago. It has morphed into something far beyond their original idea. Hootchy Mamas is an exploration of dance, art, aging, and coming to terms with all of the things that make us women. It is a journey of understanding using archival footage, recent interviews and hundreds of still photographs of some of the Middle Eastern Dance pioneers in the US. It's a womans story.
John Compton talks about his introduction to Troupe Bal Anat at the Northern California Renn Faire in the early 1970s.
Click on John's name for more background.
posted 9-13-12
Gigbag Check #45 with Zahira!
We meet Zahira backstage at the Friday night show of the International Bellydance Conference of Canada in May 2012. Her group of dancers from Dragonfly Dance Studio performed a pirate and steampunk inspired piece. They created a lovely ship with dancers and isis wings and had a mock battle. Zahira is also a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto. She presented her paper on the medieval Salome. We hope to see her writing on GildedSerpent.com soon!
Shelley Muzzy (Yasmela) and Black Dog Productions producer Suzanne Blais began work on this project over 10 years ago. It has morphed into something far beyond their original idea. Hootchy Mamas is an exploration of dance, art, aging, and coming to terms with all of the things that make us women. It is a journey of understanding using archival footage, recent interviews and hundreds of still photographs of some of the Middle Eastern Dance pioneers in the US. It's a womans story.
Nakish speaks about becoming part of Jamila Slimpour's Bal Anat Troupe at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire in the late 1960s.
Coming soon-- John Compton, Carolena Nericcio
Posted 8-9-12, submitted by Su Aine
Nava Sanctum of Tennessee
Names (L-R) Destiny October, Cymbeline Rois, and Su Aine.
Photographer: Dave Lambert
posted 8-6-2012 Katarina Burda teaches a Romany song to the class at the Roco Dance Studio tonight in Fairfax.
She will be teaching there during the month of August on Monday and Wednesday evenings.
Front row: Surreyya, Dusty, Rose Harden,
Back Row: 1, 2, 3-Katarina, 4, 5-Jessaiah, 6, 7, Come to the next lesson and stop by the Gilded Serpent lair before or after class!
Zorba dances in a new costume at Carnival of Stars 2012
posted 8-2-12
Gigbag Check #44 with Courtney
Courtney is an award-winning bellydancer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She dances solo, in a duet and a troupe. She participates in many of the bellydance competitions in the community. She is also a musician!
posted 8-1-12
Gigbag Check #43 with Sa'diyya, part 2
Sa'diyya is a professional belly dancer from Texas. Texas. In this video she discusses how she put together this beautiful costume and the secrets to her lovely hair. See part 1 of our interview here. This video was also filmed at the Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition 2011 held in Long Beach, CA. In this video she shows us another costume and the secrets behind her beautiful hair! Sa'diyya won the Universal Division in 2011. Sa'diyya is also a contributor to GildedSerpent.com..
Posted July 30, 2012
Raqia Hassan Interview
In July 2012, Raqia Hassan was sponsored to Redwood City, CA by Hala for workshops.
Along with the workshops, Hala presented a Saturday Evening Show honoring Raqia. Gilded Serpent interviewed Raqia, Hala, and Gamal after the show.
Raqia Hassan produces the June festival in Cairo called Ahlan wa Sahlan.
Fadil & Rhea on 7-22-12 at El Morocco restaurant
Rhea is wearing a money crown-- dollars taped together in wreath- given to her by the audience.
Posted July 23, 2012
Gigbag Check #42 with Lara!
Lara is from Redwood City, California. Lara's teacher is Sandra. Although Lara typically performs solo, she also dances in several groups- The Duet Sassafras, Troupe Khamsin, and a trio called Seshata. Lara has a doctorate in Computer Science from Stanford and also works as a software engineer. This video was filmed at the Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition in Long Beach in 2011.
Posted July 21, 2012
Gigbag Check #41 with Badia
Badia of Sacramento show us whats in her bag! We filmed her at the Belly Dancer of the Year Pageant 2012 in El Cerrito, California. Her team is producing a documentary called "Becoming Farasha". She talks about eyelid appliques, her '40s hairstyle, combining Turkish and Egyptian costuming, tatoo's, usingnail polish to glue rhinestones. She is also an actress trained in North Carolina. More Gigbag Check videos here
Another portion of our Cairo 1991 street footage. At the time that this was shot, it was difficult to find Mahmoud's costume shop in Khan El-Khalili. We recorded this for the benefit of the dance community. Now Mahmoud has a fancy new shop that is easier to find. This is presented now for historical purposes. More annotations will be added soon. Lillian guided Lynette through the tricky passageways while Lynette was filming. Mohamed and Najia were our guides. Also in our group was Janet.
Location: at Las Musas Dance Academy in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
date: 6/30/2012
sponsor: Las Musas Dance Academy by Grinneli Sandoval
DaVid's workshop topic: Khaleegi technique and combinations
